Modern Public Safety Summit

Mr. Marvin Haiman is an Assistant Professor and the Executive Director of Public Safety and Justice at the University of Virginia. He is also a Visiting Fellow and Research Scholar with Rutger’s University. Haiman served as the Chief of Staff for the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. between 2021 and 2024. In this capacity, Haiman oversaw daily operations of the Executive Office of the Chief of Police and was responsible for broad agency management and implementing strategic agency objectives.

Haiman was responsible for several organizational units including the Office of Communications, Office of General Counsel, Office of Wellness and the Professional Development Bureau. He served as the Executive Director of the Professional Development Bureau between 2017 – 2021, leading the Recruiting Division, Metropolitan Police Academy Division, Human Resource Management Division, Disciplinary Review Division, Testing and Assessment Division, Equal Employment Opportunity Division, Office of Communications and the Strategic Engagement Office (Volunteer Services).

Prior to being named Executive Director, Haiman served in a variety of capacities between 2015-2017, including developing the agency’s Office of Volunteer Coordination, serving as Chief of Staff for the Technical Services Division tasked with a broad range of IT operations, and Chief of Staff for the Strategic Services Bureau supporting and leading the administration of police recruitment, training, policy and volunteer service matters for the Department.

Prior to returning to the Metropolitan Police Department, Haiman served as Director for the Homeland Security Advisory Council for the United States Department of Homeland Security, where he established several key task forces for the Secretary (e.g., Foreign Fighters, Integrity & Use of Force). Prior to his Federal service, Haiman led the Recruiting Division for the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., among various other positions. Haiman was responsible for restructuring the sworn hiring process, decreasing the amount of time it took to process candidates while increasing the quality of those officers hired.

Haiman graduated from The Johns Hopkins University with a master’s degree in management through the Police Executive Leadership Program. He earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa and received designation as a Certified Public Management Program through George Washington University, as well as certification in Strategic Project Management. Haiman is also a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s Executive Leadership Program. He received recognition by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 2020 as a 40 under 40 recipient and the prestigious Gary P. Hayes Award by the Police Executive Research Forum. Haiman graduated from the Metropolitan Police Academy and continues his police service as a reserve police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department. Haiman resides with his family in Washington, D.C.

Harold Medina, a native of Taos, New Mexico, has dedicated over 27 years to law enforcement, rising through the ranks to become Chief of Police for the Albuquerque Police Department (APD). A first-generation college graduate, Medina earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and criminology from the University of New Mexico and later completed the Police School of Staff and Command at Northwestern University.

Medina began his career with APD in 1995, serving as a patrol officer for nine years before advancing to leadership roles. His early initiatives included the Party Patrol program, which significantly reduced illegal alcohol sales to minors and earned statewide recognition, including multiple Hero Awards from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. As a Lieutenant and Commander, Medina championed community-oriented policing strategies that led to double-digit reductions in property crimes and strengthened partnerships with local schools, businesses, and community organizations. Chief Medina is committed to transparency, community partnerships, and innovative strategies that build trust.

After retiring as a Commander in 2014, Medina served as Chief of Police for the Pueblo of Laguna, gaining valuable experience in cross-cultural policing. He returned to APD in 2017 as Deputy Chief of the Field Services Bureau and was appointed Interim Chief in 2020. In March 2021, he was confirmed as Chief of Police by unanimous City Council Vote. 

As Chief, Medina has led transformative reforms, including successfully closing the Department of Justice consent decree and implementing constitutional policing practices. Under his leadership, Albuquerque achieved historic reductions in crime rates and increased homicide clearance rates, restoring public trust and accountability to foster lasting change. His tenure has been marked by a commitment to transparency, community engagement, and innovative crime fighting strategies that emphasize collaboration.  

Prior to retirement, Medina served as President of the Major Cities Chiefs Association, where he advocated for national best practices in policing and collaborated with law enforcement leaders across the country. His career reflects a steadfast dedication to building safer communities through partnership, integrity, and progressive leadership.

Key Accomplishments

• Successfully closed the Department of Justice consent decree.
• Achieved historic reductions in crime rates across Albuquerque.
• Increased homicide clearance rates to record levels.
• Served as President of the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
• Implemented constitutional policing and community engagement reforms.

Robert J. Contee III most recently served as the assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Office of Partner Engagement (OPE). As OPE’s leader, Mr. Contee managed the FBI’s efforts to build and strengthen relationships and information sharing with law enforcement partners nationwide — efforts critical to protecting the American people. He engaged with executives from more than 25 national and international law enforcement associations, U.S. fusion centers, and federal, state, local, and tribal partners across the country.

Prior to his role with the FBI, Mr. Contee served as chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of Washington, D.C., the sixth-largest municipal police department in the country, leading over 4,000 sworn members and professional staff.

Mr. Contee began his law enforcement career in 1989 as a police cadet with the Metropolitan Police Department. Over more than three decades, he rose through every rank in the department, serving in a wide range of operational and executive leadership roles. From 2004 to 2018, he led the Violent Crimes Branch as captain, commanded multiple patrol districts and the Special Operations Division, and later served as assistant chief of the Professional Development Bureau, Patrol Services South, and the Investigative Services Bureau. In December 2020, he was appointed chief of police.

Mr. Contee is a highly decorated law enforcement executive. Among numerous honors, he received the 2022 Congressional Gold Medal, the 2022 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and the 2021 Law Enforcement Leader of the Year Award from the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation.

Mr. Contee earned a Bachelor of Professional Studies with a concentration in Police Science from The George Washington University and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Safety degree at the University of Virginia. He also completed the Management College at the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration and the Senior Management Institute for Police at the Police Executive Research Forum.

Dr. Tracie L. Keesee is a retired 25-year veteran of the Denver Police Department and former Deputy Commissioner of the New York Police Department. Dr. Keesee works to improve equity within law enforcement agencies and the vulnerable communities they serve. To do this, she works closely with communities to ensure their voices are centered in the co-production and redesigning of public safety systems.  She also uses data-driven and evidence-based interventions to help law enforcement agencies receive the resources needed to create more equitable outcomes and reduce harm.

Dr. Keesee served as Project Director of the Department of Justice-funded National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice Initiative and is the Co-Founder of the Center for Policing Equity (CPE). This research center provides decision-makers with data, stories, and relationships to facilitate bold, innovative, and lasting change. Dr. Keesee took a sabbatical from CPE in 2016 to serve the New York Police Department in several roles; first, as the Deputy Commissioner of Training for Commissioner William J. Bratton, directing the implementation of transformative initiatives, including restructuring the recruitment curriculum.

Subsequently, she served as the first-ever Deputy Commissioner of Equity and Inclusion for Commissioner O'Neill, where she was responsible for the overall organizational development and implementation of NYPD's Equity and Inclusion strategic framework. During this time, she also advised the Police Commissioner on implementing accountability systems that monitor training, recruitment, employee opportunities, and complaints to help increase the organization's ability to attract and retain an inclusive and diverse workforce.  Dr. Keesee returned to CPE in 2018 as the president until accepting a full-time associate professor position with the University of Virginia School of Professional and Continuing Studies.

In 2021, Dr. Keesee was appointed by the U.N. Human Rights Council President to serve as a member of an expert mechanism tasked with advancing racial justice and equity for Africans and people of African descent in the context of law enforcement around the world.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Metropolitan State College-Denver, academic certifications in Public Policy and Public Administration and a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Colorado at Denver, a Ph.D. in Intercultural Communications from the University of Denver, and a Diversity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University. Dr. Keesee is also a graduate of the 203rd Session of the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia. She has published numerous articles across various collected anthologies and peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Prior to joining the University of Virginia, Kristen Mahoney was the Director of Policy, Government and Partner Engagement at the University of Chicago’s Crime Lab and Education Lab. In this role, she spearheaded the development and implementation of outreach and collaboration strategies to engage elected officials and government agencies at all levels. In addition, she served as the Principal Deputy Director at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, overseeing an agency responsible for over $4 billion in public safety resources. She also led the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention, where she developed and implemented strategies to reduce crime, juvenile delinquency, and serve victims. Additionally, she held key positions at the Baltimore Police Department as the Chief of Technical Services and the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. 

Mahoney's exceptional contributions to public safety were recognized with a 2016 Presidential Rank Award from President Obama for her work on the National Public Safety Partnership. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sweet Briar College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore. 

William Paige is the Program Manager for the Center of Public and Justice at the University of Virginia.

William’s commitment to public service began as a civilian intern with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. in the Court Liaison Division and Office of Volunteer Coordination, promoting the Department’s community relation initiatives. He also interned and worked in the Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C. During his time as an Associate in the Office of Federal and Regional Affairs, William engaged with federal and regional stakeholders to advance the interest of the District of Columbia on a wide range of policy issues. As an Associate Director in the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments, William recruited and managed appointments within the Mayor’s cabinet and staff. His portfolio included, among others, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety & Justice and the Office of the Senior Advisor. He also advised certain Mayoral nominees through the D.C. Council confirmation process to numerous volunteer boards and commissions.

During his time at the Georgetown University Law Center, William was a research assistant focusing on federal securities litigation, a summer associate at two international law firms, served on the Executive Board of the Georgetown Black Law Student’s Association, and a student attorney in the Federal Legislation Clinic focusing on anti-hunger policy and advocacy.

William joins the Center for Public Safety & Justice from private legal practice where he focused on antitrust & competition law while maintaining an active pro bono practice. 

William graduated magna cum laude from St. John’s University with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Business Law. He earned his law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. 

In his free time, William enjoys exercising, reading non-fiction, and traveling.

Mr. Marvin Haiman is an Assistant Professor and the Executive Director of Public Safety and Justice at the University of Virginia. He is also a Visiting Fellow and Research Scholar with Rutger’s University. Haiman served as the Chief of Staff for the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. between 2021 and 2024. In this capacity, Haiman oversaw daily operations of the Executive Office of the Chief of Police and was responsible for broad agency management and implementing strategic agency objectives.

Haiman was responsible for several organizational units including the Office of Communications, Office of General Counsel, Office of Wellness and the Professional Development Bureau. He served as the Executive Director of the Professional Development Bureau between 2017 – 2021, leading the Recruiting Division, Metropolitan Police Academy Division, Human Resource Management Division, Disciplinary Review Division, Testing and Assessment Division, Equal Employment Opportunity Division, Office of Communications and the Strategic Engagement Office (Volunteer Services).

Prior to being named Executive Director, Haiman served in a variety of capacities between 2015-2017, including developing the agency’s Office of Volunteer Coordination, serving as Chief of Staff for the Technical Services Division tasked with a broad range of IT operations, and Chief of Staff for the Strategic Services Bureau supporting and leading the administration of police recruitment, training, policy and volunteer service matters for the Department.

Prior to returning to the Metropolitan Police Department, Haiman served as Director for the Homeland Security Advisory Council for the United States Department of Homeland Security, where he established several key task forces for the Secretary (e.g., Foreign Fighters, Integrity & Use of Force). Prior to his Federal service, Haiman led the Recruiting Division for the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., among various other positions. Haiman was responsible for restructuring the sworn hiring process, decreasing the amount of time it took to process candidates while increasing the quality of those officers hired.

Haiman graduated from The Johns Hopkins University with a master’s degree in management through the Police Executive Leadership Program. He earned his undergraduate degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa and received designation as a Certified Public Management Program through George Washington University, as well as certification in Strategic Project Management. Haiman is also a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s Executive Leadership Program. He received recognition by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in 2020 as a 40 under 40 recipient and the prestigious Gary P. Hayes Award by the Police Executive Research Forum. Haiman graduated from the Metropolitan Police Academy and continues his police service as a reserve police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department. Haiman resides with his family in Washington, D.C.

Prior to joining the University of Virginia, Kristen Mahoney was the Director of Policy, Government and Partner Engagement at the University of Chicago’s Crime Lab and Education Lab. In this role, she spearheaded the development and implementation of outreach and collaboration strategies to engage elected officials and government agencies at all levels. In addition, she served as the Principal Deputy Director at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, overseeing an agency responsible for over $4 billion in public safety resources. She also led the Maryland Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention, where she developed and implemented strategies to reduce crime, juvenile delinquency, and serve victims. Additionally, she held key positions at the Baltimore Police Department as the Chief of Technical Services and the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice. 

Mahoney's exceptional contributions to public safety were recognized with a 2016 Presidential Rank Award from President Obama for her work on the National Public Safety Partnership. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sweet Briar College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore.